In modern society, a he althy lifestyle and he alth care have become a trend. And an important part of this is considered to be dental he alth. A beautiful and he althy smile is the key to success and attractiveness. In the article we will talk about dental problems, the most unpleasant and dangerous cervical caries, how to save teeth, methods of treatment and prevention of dental he alth.
A bit of anatomical knowledge
Human teeth are bone formations, the main function of which is the mechanical processing of food. The growth and development of teeth is determined by genetics, there should be 32 of them. Dentists divided all teeth into 2 upper and 2 lower jaw quarters. Each tooth has its own serial number. Dairy and molars, incisors, canines and chewing - they all have a common structure.
There are 3 parts in the structure of teeth:
- Crown. The only visible part of the tooth that is covered with enamel is the strongest tissue of our body, which consists of inorganic substances (96%),organic matrix (1%) and water (3%). Under the enamel is the main part - dentin, which consists of inorganic minerals (72%) and organic substances (28%). It is dentin that gives the main color to our teeth.
- Neck. The place where the enamel ends and the root of the tooth begins, where the dentin is protected by a thin layer of cementum. It is here that the cement of the tooth comes to the surface. Damage to the dentin in this place (cervical caries) becomes the most dangerous for the integrity of the tooth.
- Root. It is located in the alveolus of the gums. Here are blood vessels and nerve endings.
What is caries
Carious process is a softening (demineralization) of enamel and dentin as a result of bacterial activity. These microorganisms decompose food residues with the formation of lactic acid. And it washes away minerals from the enamel and dentin of our teeth. But bacteria alone is not enough. With normal microflora in the oral cavity, bacteria do not multiply. And as a result, caries does not develop. The following factors lead to violations of normal bacteriosis in the oral cavity:
- Food left between teeth and in gum pockets.
- Some diseases of the digestive system (for example, pancreatitis or gastritis) that change the acid-base balance of saliva.
- Calcium deficiency conditions in the body. For example, with an unbalanced diet, pregnancy and breastfeeding, radiation or exposure.
Classifications of pathology
According to the depth of damage to the tissues of the tooth, caries happens:
- Surface (spots on the enamel). In this case, only the enamel is destroyed. At this stage, caries is manifested by temperature and mechanical sensitivity.
- Medium. The lesion affects the dentin, a carious cavity is formed. The tooth changes color and the sensitivity of the tooth increases. Sharp pains often appear.
- Deep. The lesion affects the entire dentin up to the pulp. Symptoms - acute pain when eating, with temperature changes. If the infection penetrates the pulp, an inflammatory process develops - pulpitis.
According to the localization of the carious process, they distinguish:
- Fissure caries. The chewing surface is affected.
- Cervical dental caries (gingival, cervical). The affected area is located on the border of the crown and neck. The most insidious type of caries, since it is practically invisible in the initial stages of development, and the patient comes to the dentist when the caries has passed into the middle or deep stage.
- Interdental (approximal). The sides of the tooth are affected.
- Atypical. Develops on the outside of the tooth.
According to the etiology of development, caries can be primary (occurred in this place for the first time), secondary (recurrence under a filling or crown) and multiple (caries on several teeth at once, more often due to untimely treatment).
General indications and contraindications for treatment
It is necessary to start treatment when the color or pigmentation of the enamel changes, the cervical area darkens or the neck is exposedtooth, with enamel chipping, the appearance of carious cavities. In parallel, there is a painful reaction to hot and cold, sweet and s alty.
Contraindications for the treatment of caries (cervical, fissure and interdental):
- Pregnancy in the first and third trimesters.
- Acute respiratory viral infections.
- Herpes in the acute stage.
- Acute periodontal disease with severe gum bleeding.
Why should he be treated
At the initial stages, caries does not bring much concern to its owner. But if you pull to the last, you can face very unpleasant consequences, namely:
- The inflammatory process once started will spread. Inflammation of the pulp (pulpitis) or the inside of the jaw where the tooth is located (periodontitis) are much more painful and longer-term problems.
- If left untreated, there is always a hotbed of inflammation in the body. This can cause cardiovascular, joint and other problems.
- Inflammatory processes affect the body's immune status, and its decrease leads to the likelihood of developing allergies. After all, an allergy is an inadequate response of the immune system to external stimuli.
- Total decay and loss of teeth. And the aesthetic problem is not a problem at all. Violations in chewing food may well lead to interruptions in the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Losing an aesthetic smile can be a problem for certain types of peopleactivities. But in any case, this does not add self-confidence, which is simply necessary at the modern pace of life. And besides, a smile always adorns a person.
Cervical caries. Causes
The main reason for the development of this type of caries, dentists consider insufficient oral hygiene, as a result of which the enamel and dentin demineralize and soften. Of course, genetic predisposition and some chronic diseases cannot be discounted.
Among the main causes of cervical caries, dentists distinguish:
- Enamel demineralization. The waste product of bacteria - lactic acid - accumulates at the base of the tooth and leads to thinning and softening of the enamel, and then the dentin.
- Avitaminoses. The lack of vitamins directly affects the condition of the gums and leads to the appearance of gum pockets. The neck of the tooth is exposed, bacteria accumulate in the pocket, and dentin damage is rampant.
- Chalky spots. The initial stage of cervical caries, when the enamel is just beginning to soften. At this stage, caries on the neck of the tooth is practically invisible, and only a dentist can diagnose it.
Modern methods of treatment of cervical caries
Most recently, the treatment of cervical caries, like any other, frightened patients with the use of a drill and pain. Modern dentistry has methods and tools that will cure the patient without pain, effectively andcomfortable.
Of course, everything will depend on the degree of damage, but in the initial stages of cervical caries, you can do without a frightening drill. In this case, the following methods apply:
- Microinvasive infiltration - caries at the stage of spots is eliminated by chemical-mechanical treatment. This is how the initial cervical caries of the front teeth is removed after wearing braces.
- Remineralization and ozone effect on bacteria. Used without anesthesia.
- Air-abrasive method. Its essence is that cervical caries is directed by an air stream with abrasive additives. As a result, only affected tissues are knocked out, and no damage is done to he althy ones.
- Laser therapy. Its peculiarity is that the fabrics are not exposed to heat. Recommended for pregnant women, children and patients with high vibration sensitivity.
Conservative treatment
For the superficial stage of cervical caries, dentists use conservative therapy, the steps of which are as follows:
- First, the enamel is cleaned. It is freed from plaque and tartar.
- Then, for 2-3 sessions, the dentist applies special preparations, which include fluoride.
- The patient is already at home, continuing to take prescribed medications and follow the recommendations for oral care.
Remineralizing therapy is carried out with preparations that contain fluorine and calcium. Paste from cervical caries should be prescribed by a doctor in strictly prescribed dosages.
When there is no way without a drill
If the lesion has affected the dentin, then completely different methods of treatment are already needed. Cervical caries requires high qualifications from the dentist due to the location of the lesion near the gums. The treatment steps for medium to deep gingival caries are as follows:
- It all starts again with cleaning the enamel from stones and plaque.
- Choosing the color of the composite closest to the natural color of the patient's teeth.
- Anesthesia and preparation of the lesion.
- Filling a carious cavity.
- Tooth aesthetics and polishing.
Modern filling materials
For the treatment of cervical caries, several types of filling material are used, which the dentist selects individually for each patient. In addition to the price, they differ in composition and properties.
In the reconstruction of cervical caries, fillings can be made of glass ionomer cement, organically modified ceramics or light-cured composites. Properly selected material and treatment technique make it possible to fully restore the functional and aesthetic function of the teeth.
Is it possible to do without a dentist?
It is believed that caries cannot be cured at home. But under some circumstances, such treatment of cervical caries is quite likely and gives positive results. And the main condition is the initial stage of the development of pathology, when the enamel is not yet damaged, and only a myelin spot has formed. The use of remineralizing pastes or gels can delay a visit to the dentist. With self-treatment, it is important to consider some features:
- The uniqueness of each individual case. In this case, the properties of the enamel, the localization of the lesion, the age of the patient and the quality of hygiene are important. All this must be considered when choosing a remedy for the treatment of cervical caries.
- Choice of drug. The modern pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of means to combat this problem. But it is still better to entrust the determination of the correct concentration to a specialist. After all, increased concentrations of fluorine can lead to the exact opposite result.
- Problems in diagnosis. Cervical caries at the stain stage is often confused with plaque or enamel hypoplasia. If a visit to the dental office is not possible, you can use folk remedies for some time, but without proper diagnosis, you should not resort to chemical exposure. Therefore, it is better to go to a dental clinic.
What traditional medicine advises
Among the recipes of traditional medicine there are many remedies for relieving pain or strengthening tooth enamel, but there are no recipes for developed caries. To relieve pain, infusions of herbs are used - oregano, knotweed, sage, lemon balm, mallow, blackberry leaves and blueberries. You can rinse your mouth with decoctions of wormwood, violets, valerian. Decoctions of oak bark, aspen, angelica roots and calamus are also used. Widely used to strengthen enamel and relieve pain propolis tincture
The effect of the use of folk remedies will not last long, but it will help to cope with the pain. The flip side of these techniques is that they can relieve pain and mask symptoms. As a result, there is the possibility of complications in the form of pulpitis or loss of teeth. Therefore, the right choice of the patient is still a visit to the dentist. And the sooner the better.
Prevention of cervical caries
Recommendations of dentists for the prevention of this pathology are simple and clear:
- Restriction in food of products containing carbohydrates with a high content of sugar. It is glucose that bacteria process, and the by-product of this glycolysis is lactic acid.
- Eat carbs right. No one says that chocolate, sweets and buns should not be eaten. Just do not eat them at night, and after eating sugars, it is better to clean or rinse your mouth.
- Enamel cleaning is facilitated by chewing coarse fiber foods. So eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, herbs and grains.
- Hygiene is the key to he althy teeth. In the morning we brush our teeth more for others, but at night we brush our teeth for our he alth.
- Proper brushing technique. Oddly enough, most people brush their teeth incorrectly. This is a whole science that is worth a separate article.
- Dental floss - effectively fights cervical caries. With its help, food debris is removed in the interdental space and in the gum area.
What should be on your shelf
If you take good care of your teeth, youyou should be:
- Toothpaste containing up to 1.5 thousand pm fluoride.
- Fluoride-impregnated dental floss (fluorinated floss).
- Tooth rinses.
However, the selection of these drugs should take into account the individual condition of the oral cavity (fillings, missing teeth), age, fluoride content in drinking water and many other factors. Remember, too much fluoride is just as bad for your teeth as too little.
Therefore, the main prevention of caries is regular visits to the dentist, preventive, consulting or curative - it does not matter. Find a doctor you can trust and your teeth will thank you with a radiant smile and enviable he alth.
